ozstamps queries, Well, as far as UA goes, it seems OK to carry laser-pointers onto the plane, since it isn't specifically mentioned on the restricted list given by:
http://www.ual.com/site/primary/0,10017,1035,00.html
UA gives themselves latitude by noting that the list is not limiting, but I've carried them on for about as long as laser pointers have been around, and have never been stopped. Actually, I remember using one in a meeting in Sydney once that I transported in my carryon from the U.S. on UA. Obviously, I was unaware of the restriction, because I subsequently took a few AN flights with the unit in my carryon (with no problems).